Inspectors shut down filthy fly and slug-infested takeaway on the spot

A TOWN centre chip shop has been closed on the spot by horrified environmental health officers because of the risk it posed to customers.

Ponty Fish Bar on Taff Street, Pontypridd, was shut down immediately when inspectors found it infested with flies and slugs, food kept in filthy conditions and with no cleaning products on site.

The well-known chippy had already been made subject to increased visits and inspections by Rhondda Cynon Taf officers as a result of concerns regarding the situation there.

Food Health and Hygiene Experts. who were undertaking their regular, daily inspection work, uncovered the catalogue of horrors.

Among the findings at the inspection last week, which led to the closure, were:

Food stored in filthy freezers and other storage areas;

Dangerously poor temperature control of high risk foods;

No food management systems;

Little or no staff awareness, training or management on food safety issues;

Fly infestations;

Slugs on the drums used to store chip cooking oil;

General unacceptable dirty conditions;

No cleaning products on site whatsoever.

In an earlier inspection, clear instructions had been left with management to ensure that:

Staff were trained and confident in food safety measures;

Food safety systems were in place to ensure all products were stored, prepared, cooked and served safely;

That cleanliness was improved.

A follow-up visit was made last week to ensure the standards and expectations were being met, which led to officers discovering conditions at the fish bar had deteriorated so badly they had no choice but to serve a legal notice immediately closing the premises to protect the public.

Officers then attended Pontypridd Magistrates’ Court on Friday, where the Emergency Prohibition Notice was turned into a legally-binding closure order, meaning the premises cannot open until it has met, and proved it has met, a series of instructions from EHOs.

Environmental Health Officers have now written to the registered food business operator, Farkandah Jabin, with a list of standards that must be met – and checked – before the premises can open again. These relate to cleanliness, food management and staff training and awareness.

Dai Jones, head of community protection at Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, said: “This case demonstrates how robust our food safety systems are and just how quickly we can act to protect the public when necessary.

“The Ponty Fish Bar was already under intensified scrutiny due to concerns raised in routine inspections. Unfortunately, despite intervention by Environmental Health Officers, the management failed to recognise the seriousness of the situation. They refused several offers of help and disregarded our advice. Not only did they fail to make the necessary improvements but, in fact, allowed conditions to deteriorate still further to the point where, immediate closure was necessary to protect the public.”

Despite our efforts, the owners could not be contacted.

Shoppers on Taff Street weree not surprised to see the takeaway shut.

Mum Christine Briggs, 58, from Rhydyfelin, said her daughter had felt ill a year ago after visiting the establishment.

And Leanne Jenkins, 28, of Coed y Cwm, added: “I would often walk straight past and go to the takeaway next door. I wasn’t surprised to see it being closed.”